Judge awards Ryan Ferguson 10 million dollars

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COLUMBIA - A settlement of over $10 million was reached between the city of Columbia and Ryan Ferguson Monday evening in a federal court.

The judge awarded Ferguson $10 million citing damages along with $150,000 in attorney fees and more than $800,000 in fees for the law firm.

In 2005, Ferguson was convicted of the November 2001 murder of Columbia Tribune Sports editor Kent Heitholt. His sentence was vacated in 2013 after an appeals court ruled evidence was withheld during the original trial.

In court today, Ferguson's parents shared the expereince of the fear they had for their son while he was in prison as he shifted to an "opposite enviroment" from the one where he was raised. Both also expressed concern of his psychological change throughout his time in prison and after his release.

"I saw a lot of anxiety. I saw some fear, and I defintley saw who he was change as a result of that," said Ferguson's mother, Leslie Ferguson.

Bill and Leslie Ferguson also expressed concern about their son's future and well-being.

"It's a handicap to have that expereince and find your way in the world," said Bill Ferguson.